Air ballasted accumulator and control circuit for hydraulic presses



3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Sept- 1, 1942 R. J. FEUcHTr-:R

AIR BALLASTED ACCUMULATOR AND CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR HYDRAULIC PRESSES Filed Sept. l5, 1953 Sept 1, 1942 R. J. FEUCHTER 2,294,395

AIR BALLASTED ACCUMULATOR AND CONTROL CIRCUIT FOR HYDRAULIC PRESSES Filed Sept. l5, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 NNN SNN

Sept. 1, 1942. 2,294,396

AIR BALLASTED AccUMuLAToR AND CONTROL cIIRcUIT FOR HYDRAULIC PRESSES R. J. FEUCHIER Filed Sept. 15, 1939 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 @ff/maa.,

Patented Sept. 1, 1942 AIR BALLASTED ACCUMLATOR AND CON- TROL CIRCUIT FOR HYDRAULIC PRES-SES Robert J. Feuchter, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Charles F. Elmes Engineering Works, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application September 15,1939, Serial No. 295,154

5 Claims.

The present invention relates to air ballasted accumulators and control circuits therefor adapted to maintain a supply of liquid under pressure for various purposes such, for example, as the operation of hydraulic presses, descaling units, pressure nozzles, etc.

It is the principal purpose of the present invention to provide a device of the character described wherein the accumulator is so connected to the pumping system and the liquid using devices as to maintain the supply of liquid under pressure within certain minimum and maximum level and. pressure limits.

The present invention contemplates the provision of pressure responsive and liquid level responsive control devices in combination with a safety valve, all of which automatically operate to control the flow of liquid from the pump to the accumulator and to the liquid using device and the flow of liquid from the accumulator to the liquid using device.

The present invention contemplates also the provision, in a device of the character described, of a novel control arrangement which, at all times, will automatically maintain the pressure in the accumulator within the prescribed limits, even though the control mechanism and the source of energy therefor fail completely.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will appear more fully as the descrip- 1 tion proceeds, reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein a preferred form of the invention is shown. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings and description are illustrative only, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention except insofar as it is limited by the claims.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view illustrating the accumulator and control system;

Fig. 2 is a wiring diagram showing the electrical connections to the various equipment by which the control is effected;

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through the safety valve for the accumulator, and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view through the liquid level control device.

Referring now to the drawings, the accumulator and pump system is shown diagrammatically in Fig. l. In this figure, the numerals 5 and 6 indicate two accumulator vessels which are adapted to be charged with air and then partially filled with the hydraulic liquid. The vessel 5 has on the top thereof two high pressure air safety valves 1, and the vessel 6 has similarv safety valves at the top thereof. The liquid inlets for the vessels 5 and-6 are shown at 9 and Ill. These inlets are connected by two branch pipes II and I2 to a main pipe I3. A valve I4 is provided in the pipe II and a valve I5 is provided in the pipe I2 so that either accumulator vessel may be isolated from the other, and either vessel may be used independently of the other in the operation of hydraulic presses. A drain pipe I6 is provided for the vessel 5, and a second drain pipe Il is provided for theY vessel (i.V For the purpose of observing and controlling the liquid level and the pressure within the accumulator vessels, a control pipe i3 connects the bottom andthe top of the vessel 5, and a similar control pipe I9 connects the top and bottom of the vessel 5. The-pipes i8 and I9 are both connected to the control apparatus, as will be presently explained The control apparatus comprises means for connecting a source ofliquid under pressure, such as one or more pumps, to the pipe I3 through a safety closing valve 25. The control system is adapted to actuate the safety closing valve 2E] and the liquid supply means in such a fashion as to supply liquid under pressure tothe vessels 5 and 6 if the pressure therein is below a certain minimum value, or if the liquid level therein drops below a certain level. The control system also is adapted to by-pass the liquid supply means whenever the pressure or the liquid level in the vessels 5 and 6 exceeds certain predetermined values. The control systemis adapted-to be operated by certain pressure and liquid level responsive electrical switches and is adapted to utilize the usual shop air supply for the actual control operations. However, in the initial charging of the accumulator vessels, it is necessary to have an air compressor capable of supplying air for thevessels at the pressure desired. An air compressorZl is illustrated in Fig. l and is shown as adapted to be connected through a valve 22 and a pipe 23to a branch pipe 24 that connects the pipes I8 and I9.

lIwo valves 25 and 26 are interposedin the pipe 24 between its connection with thefpipe 23 and the pipes I8 and I9 respectively. Thus the air compressor 2| may be utilized to nll either the vessel alone or both vessels at the same time. Also, if it is later desired to isolate one accumulator from the control device, which will be later described, the valves 25 and 2li permit such isolation.

A :nanometer 2'I is utilized to indicate on a dial 2l' the liquid level within the vessels 5 and 6,

This manometer is of a well-known construction, the details of which are diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 4. Such a manometer is made and sold by the Brown Electric Company, under the name of Brown Electric Flow Meter. The manometer 21 is connected by means of its pipes 28 and 29 to a lower cross connecting pipe 30 and an upper cross connecting pipe 3|. The pipe 29 leads to the pipe 3|, while the pipe 28 leads to the lower pipe 36. A condenser 32 is provided at the top of the pipe 29. The pipe 30 has Valves 33 and 34 therein in order that either vessel 5 or 6 may be isolated from it. The pipe 3| is equipped with two valves 35 and 36 for the same purpose. The pipes 28 and 29 have Valves 31 and 38 therein so that the manometermay be cut off the line, if desired. A cross connection 39 controlled by a Valve 46 is also provided for the pipes 28 and 29.

The pipes I8 and I9 are utilized for connecting the usual pressure gauges 4I and 42 to. the vessels and 6. The pipe I8 has a plurality of test valves 43, 44, 45 and 46 for determining the existing liquid level in the vessel 5 independently of the manometer and the other control apparatus. Similarly, the pipe I9 is provided with test valve 41, 48, 49 and 50.

In addition to the manometer 21 and its dial 21', there is included a liquid level responsive switch mechanism 5I (see Fig. 2) which is adapted to be operated by the effect of Variations in liquid level upon the manometer 21. In addition, three pressure responsive control switches 52, 53, and 54 are provided. The switch 52 is electrically connected to an electromagnet 55 which is adapted to control an air valve V56. The switch 53 is electrically connected to an electromagnet 51 which is adapted to control an air valve 58. The switch 54 is electrically connected to an electromagnet 59 which controls an air valve 66. Three valves 56, 58 and 66 are of like type, and each contains a movable Valve 6I which is adapted, when the electromagnet associated therewith is energized, to connect a source of shop air supply to an operating co'n-` trol device. When the electromagnets are deenergized their valves are adapted to connect the control device to an exhaust pipe and to shut o the shop air supply.

The shop air supply is indicated as connected to a pipe 62 which leads through a strainer 63 and a lubricator 64 to three branch pipes 65, 66 and 61. The branch pipe 65 is connected through a valve 68 to the electrically operated valve 56. The branch pipe 66 is connected through a valve 69 to the electrically operated valve 58, and the branch pipe 61 is connected through a valve 16 to the electrically operated valve 60. An air pipe 1I leads from the valve 56 to a cylinder 12, a piston of which is adapted to operate a by-pass valve 13. The by-pass valve 13 is so arranged as to direct liquid from a pipe 14 to a distributor pipe 15 or a by-pass pipe 16. The pipe 14 is adapted to receive liquid under pressure from a suitable pump such as is commonly used to supply hydraulic presses. The valve 13 is adapted, when air is supplied to the cylinder 12, to connect the pipe 14 to the distributor pipe 15. When the air pressure is withdrawn from the cylinder 12, then the valve 13 is adapted to be rotated by any suitable means such as a weight 11 in the position to connect the Y supply pipe 14 to the by-pass 16 which returns the liquid to a reservoir or tank suppliedY for the pump. The pump and reservoir are not shown herein, since they are well-known in the art and form no part of the present invention.

The distributor pipe 15 is also adapted to receive liquid through a second valve 18. The valve 18 is substantially the same in construction as the valve 13. It receives liquid through a pipe 19 from a suitable pump and discharges into the distributor pipe 15 through a pipe 86. A bypass 8| leads from the valve 18 to the reservoir for the second pump. The valve 18 is controlled by the electrically operated valve 58 through a cylinder 82 and a piston 83. An air pipe 84 leads from the valve 58 to the cylinder 82.

The distributor pipe 15 is connected to the safety closing Valve 20 through a manually operable valve 85, and is also adapted to supply liquid directly to the presses through a pipe 86. The safety closing valve 20 is controlled by means of the air valve 60 and an air pipe 81. This valve is shown in detail in Fig. 3 of the drawings. The valve comprises a Valve body 88 having a port 89 leading to the pipe 15 and a port 96 leading to the pipe I3. A Valve head 9| is slidably mounted in the body 88 and is pressed downwardly by a spring 92 against a valve seat 93. The head 9| has a socket 94- adapted to receive the upper end of a stem 95 which is pressed upward by air received through the pipe 81. When the air pressure in the pipe 81 is released, the spring 92 will maintain the Valve closed, provided there is not sufficient excess pressure in the distributor pipe 15 to overcome the force of the spring 92 and the pressure in the accumulator vessels 5 and 6.

Referring now to Fig. 2, the electrical circuits adapted to be controlled by the pressure operated switches 52, 53 and 54 and the liquid level control switch 5| will be described. Current is adapted to be supplied from a suitable source, indicated at |00, through a manually operable switch I0| to a transformer I 62. It will be understood that the transformer is needed only where the voltage of the source of current supply is not the correct voltage for the operation of the electrical controls used. The pressure responsive switch 52 comprises a contact arm |03 which is operated by any suitable pressure responsive device such as a Bourdon tube |64. The contact |63 is adapted to engage either one of two stationary contacts |65 and |66. When the contact |65 is engaged by the element |03, a

circuit is completed from one side of the transformer |02 over a lead |01 and a branch lead |08 through the elements |63 and |85 to a relay I69, and from this .relay over` a lead IIO and a lead III to the other side of the transformer. This energizes the relay |69 and causes it to attract its armatures II2 and |I3. The armature I|2 closes a holding circuit for the relay |09. The armature |I3 opens a circuit to cause the deenergization of the electromagnet 55. This circuit can be traced from one side of the transformer over leads |61 and |68 to the armature |I3 and thence over a lead II 4 to the normally closed contacts of an armature II6 controlled by a relay I I5, then to the electromagnet 55 and over a return lead I I8 to the lead III and the other side of the transformer. The deenergization of the electromagnet 55 causes the valve 56 to exhaust the air in the pipe 1| and the cylinder 12 so as to move the valve 13 into by-pass position. If the pressure in the accumulator vessels falls below the predetermined value, theV contact element |63 will engage the stationary contact |06 which short-circuits the re- The pressure switch 53 includes a movable contact H9 and two stationary contacts |25 and |2| which control the operation of a relay |22 in the opening and closing of its armatures |23 and |24. The armature |24 controls the energization of the electromagnet 51 over a lead' |25, normally closed armature ||1 of the relay H5, and the return lead IIB. The operation of the relay |22 under control of the contact arm ||9 is substantially the same as that of the relay |39 except that the low pressure limit in con" tact |2| is set lower than the contact |05. The closing of the armature |24 moves the valve 18 into position to supply liquid under pressure to the distributor pipe 15.

The pressure switch 54 includes pressure re` sponsive Contact |25 and two stationary contacts |21 and |28 controlling a relay |29. The relay |29 has two normally open armatures |30 and |3l. The armature |39 controls a locking circuit for locking the relay |29 energized. The armature |3| controls the flow of current from the lead |58 to the electromagnet 59 which controls the supply of air to the diaphragm of the safety Valve 25 by means of the air valve BD. The circuit for the electromagnet 59 may be traced from the lead |03 through the armature |3| over a lead |32 and normally closed armature |33 of a relay |34 to the electromagnet 59 and back to the other side of the transformer over the leads ||8 and |l. The relays ||5 and |24 are adapted to be controlled by the switch of the liquid level gauge or manometer 21. As shown diagrammatically in Fig. 2, the relay ||5 is energized when the switch 5| connects its movable contact |35 to stationary contact |35. This circuit may be traced from one side of the transformer over a lead |31 to the relay H5, then over a lead |38 to the stationary contact |35 to movable contact |35 and over its lead |39 to the common lead which con-Y The' cuit may be traced from the lead |31 through the relay |34 and a lead |4| to the stationary contact |49, and then over the lead |39 to the common lead In starting the system shown in Fig. 1, it is first necessary to charge the accumulator vessels 5 and 6 with air under pressure. In order to do this, the valves 22, and 25 are rst closed, the vessels l2 and I4 are opened, and the drain valves E5 and I1 are closed. The valves 31 and 3S of the manometer lines are opened. Also the valves 33, 34, 35 and 36 are opened. The condenser 32 has a plug in the top which is removed and this condenser is lled with water, the stand-pipe 29 of course being filled at the same time. The level of the Water in the condenser is brought up to the level of the pipe 5|. The condenser is then nlled so as to prevent any leakage of air. The electrical equipment is cononected up, as shown in Fig. 2, and water under pressure is pumped through the supply pipe 14 into the vessels 5 and 6 until the water level reaches the lower test valves 44 and 48. At this point, the supply of water is cut olf. Valves "2 25 and 25 are next opened and the shop air supply may be connected to the` pipe 23 to ll the accumulator vessels to the limit of the shop air pressure. If preferred, however, the shop air pressure can be left off and the air compressor 2| used to initially charge the accumulator vessels. The shop air pressure must be disconnected before the charging of the vessels exceeds the normal pressure of the shop air system.

The air compressor 2| is utilized to charge the vessels up to full working pressure which, for example, will be assumed to be 2500 pounds per square inch. When the vessels are fully charged to this pressure, the valve 22 is closed to cut off the air compressor from the accumulator system. The system is now ready for operation. Liquid under pressure is supplied from two pumps to the pipes 14 and 19. Since the accumulator is fully charged, the Valves 13 and 13 will be so positioned as to connect the supply pipes 14 and 19 with the by-pass pipes 16 and 8|. In the normal position, the pressure control swtch 54 is closed and energizes the velectromagnet 59 so as to supply air under pressure to the diaphragm of the valve 20 and hold this valve open ready for discharge. The switches 52 and 53 are in position to de-energize their respective electromagnets and 51 so that the air will be exhausted from the control cylinders 12 and 82.

When the presses are started in operation to take liquid from the pipe 85, the pressure will gradually drop in the accumulator vessels 5 and 5. After the pressure has dropped a predetermined amount, say to 2400 pounds, the switch 52 will move its Contact element |53 into engagement with the stationary contact |56. This deenergizes the relay |09 and allows the armature ||3 to drop back and close a circuit for the electromagnet 55. This moves the valve plunger 6| of the valve 55 into position as shown in Fig. 1, so as to supply shop air to the cylinder 12 and connect the supply pipe 14 to the pipe 15. Thus liquid under pressure is forced into the distributor pipe 15 for use either in charging the accumulator vessels 5 and 5 with liquid or in feeding the presses. If the presses continue to take more liquid than can be supplied at 2400 pounds pressure by the supply pipe 14, the excess liquid will be supplied from the vessels 5 and 5 until the pressure therein drops to a further low level, which, for the purposes of illustration, we will assume to be 2350 pounds. At this pressure, the switch 53 moves its movable contact |9 into engagement with the stationary contact |2| to de-energize the relay |22. The armature |24 drops back and closes the energizing circuit for the eleetromagnet 51 so as to open the valve 58 and admit air pressure to the cylinder 82. This connects the supply pipe 19 to the distribution pipe 15.

Further withdrawal of liquid from the vessels 5 and 6 may be continued until the pressure drops therein to another predetermined level, say 2270 pounds. At this predetermined level, the pressure switch 54, which is normally in the position with its relay |29 energized to attract the armature itl and energize the electromagnet 59, will be moved to the position to de-energize the relay |25 by closing the contacts |25 and |28. When this occurs, the electromagnet 59 is deenergized and air pressure is released from the pipe 81. allowing the diaphragm of the valve 25 to drop to the position shown in Fig. 3 so that the valve 2i) will close and prevent any further withdrawal of liquid from the accumulator Vessels.

` by swinging the movable contact |26 into engagement with the stationary contact |21. This admits air pressure to the diaphragm of the valve 20 and opens the valve for further withdrawal Y of liquid, if necessary.

When enough liquid is pumped into the vessels 5 and 6 to raise the pressure therein to the origi-` nal charging pressure of 2500 pounds, or high water level is reached, the switches 52 and 53 deenergize the electromagnets 55 and 51 thereby exhausting the air cylinders 12 and 82 so that the valves 13 and 18 can return to by-pass position under influence of the weights 11. In this condition, the accumulator vessels are fully charged and ready for another cycle.

As an emergency safety measure, the liquid level controlling switch 5| is adapted to control the high and low liquid level independent of pressure. The top level is so adjusted that at three inches above the normal liquid high water level for 2500 pounds pressure, the circuit is closed to energize the relay ||5 and thus open the circuits for the electromagnets 55 and 51. This will release air from the cylinders 12 and 82 and move the valves 13 and 18 to by-pass position. The lower level index is set so that upon withdrawal of the amount of liquid necessary to drop the liquid level in the vessels to a point normally corresponding to about 2160 pounds working pressure, the switch 5| will energize the relay |34 and open the circuit for the electromagnet 59. This will exhaust the air pressure from the diaphragm of the safety valve 20, thereby closing this valve and preventing excessive withdrawal of liquid from the accumulator vessels and preventing high pressure air from entering the press system. This emergency liquid level control acts as a safety in the event that one of the pressure switches 52, 53 or 54 fails to operate properly.

The present system is so designed that it is protected against failure of operation of the several control elements. In the case of air failure in the shop air line, the safety valve will close due to lack of air pressure on its diaphragm, and thus prevent withdrawal of liquid from the accumulator vessels. Also, the failure of the shop air pressure causes both the by-pass valves 13 and 18 to by-pass the high pressure liquid from the pipes 14 and 19 back to the supply tank. In the event the electrical current fails, the valve 20 will also be closed since de-energizing the electromagnet 59 results in discharging the air pressure from beneath the diaphragm of the valve 26. This will prevent discharge of liquid from the accumulator vssels. The by-pass valves 13 and 18 will also be moved to by-pass position in the case of electrical current failure.

It will be seen that as the accumulator discharges through its normal operating range, that is from 2500 pounds down to 2400 pounds, the pumps are not in communication therewith. At this lower limit, however, the first pump cuts in, and if the demand is not too great, the accumulator will gradually be charged up to the upper limit of the normal operating range. If the demand is suiiiciently great so as to prevent the build-up of pressure in the accumulator, the second pump will cut in at 2350 pounds, and in this instance the supply will be sufcient to bring the accumulator up to the upper limit. It will thus be seen that the pressure in the accumulator, and in the whole system continuously operates between the upper and lower limits of the normal operating range of pressure. By virtue of such an arrangement, the pumps are cut in and out less frequently than would be the case if such a control arrangement were not provided. This arrangement obviates the strain which is imposed upon the pump motors when they are cut in and out frequently as the pressure fluctuates narrowly above and below the maximum pressure of the usual accumulator system.

It will be further noted that even at the lower limit of the normal operating range, there is an additional reserve supply of liquid Which is available for unusually heavy demands, and the amount of this additional supply is determined by the safety check valve.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction and operation of this device will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art. Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure b-y Letters Patent is:

l. In a system for supplying liquid under pressure for hydraulic machinery, an accumulator vessel adapted to receive and hold a reserve supply of liquid under pressure and to hold a charge of air therein to supply the pressure on said liquid, a valve biased to closed position to govern the flow of liquid from the vessel, and control means for said valve responsive to variations in pressure in said vessel arranged to open and to hold said valve open when the pressure in the vessel respectively reaches or is above a predetermined limit, said control means being operable to permit the valve to close against further liquid discharge from the vessel when the pressure therein drops below said limit by a predetermined amount, the valve being arranged to permit liquid at a pressure greater than the pressure within said vessel to enter the vessel through said valve in order that the pressure therein may be increased up to said predetermined limit in order to actuate said control means to open said valve.

21. In a system for supplying liquid under pressure for hydraulic machinery, an accumulator vessel adapted to receive and hold a reserve supply of liquid under pressure and to hold a charge of air therein to supply the pressure on said liquid, a valve governing the ilow of liquid to and from the vessel, control means for said valve responsive to variations in pressure in said vessel to hold said valve open when the pressure in the vessel is above a predetermined limit, said control means being operable to close the valve against further liquid `discharge from the vessel when the pressure therein drops below said limit by a predetermined amount, and to maintain said valve f closed to discharge until the pressure therein exresponsive to a pressure rise therein up to said predetermined limit to open said air valve.

3. A system for effecting delivery of liquid under pressure to hydraulic machinery from a suitable source and for maintenance of reserve liquid to augment the supply of liquid from said source in intervals of large demand by the machinery, said system comprising an air ballasted accumulator vessel, a source for the supply of liquid under pressure, a distributor pipe for supplying liquid from said source, said pipe having a branch leading to said vessel, a safety check valve operable to permit liquid to flow into said vessel, a by-pass valve controlling the supply of liquid from the source to said distributor pipe, control means operable to open said safety check valve when the pressure in said vessel is above a predetermined limit and to maintain said valve open until the pressure in said vessel has dropped below said limit by a predetermined amount, and control means responsive to pressure in said vessel to by-pass liquid from said source when the pressure in said vessel exceeds a predetermined limit above the first named predetermined limit and until such time as the pressure in said Vessel has dropped below said second limit by a predetermined amount not in excess of the difference between said limits.

4. In an air ballasted accumulator system of the character described comprising a vessel charged with gas and a liquid, a control Valve controlling the ow of liquid to and from the vessel, means to supply liquid under` pressure to said valve, and operating means for said valve responsive to changes in pressure within said vessel, said operating means acting to open said valve when the pressure in said vessel rises above a predetermined value whereby to permit flow of liquid from the vessel and becoming ineffective to hold said valve open when the pressure in the vessel drops a predetermined amount below said predetermined value.

5. In an air ballasted accumulator system of the character described comprising a vessel charged with gas and a liquid, a control valve controlling the ow of liquid to and from the Vessel, means to supply liquid under pressure to said valve, and operating means for said valve responsive to changes in pressure within said vessel, said operating means acting to open said valve when the pressure in said vessel rises above a predetermined value whereby to permit ow of liquid from the Vessel and becoming ineffective to hold said valve open when the pressure in the vessel drops a predetermined amount below said predetermined value, said valve being capable of :opening when the pressure upon it from said supply source exceeds the vessel pressure by a predetermined amount.

ROBERT J. FEUCHTER. 

